ISLAMABAD: More than 1.87 million skilled and highly educated Pakistanis have left the country over the past three years in search of better opportunities, according to figures presented in the National Assembly.
Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Muhammad Aun Saqlain provided the figures in response to a question from Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Somro during a session chaired by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa.
Those leaving Pakistan include doctors, engineers, IT professionals, teachers, nurses, pharmacists and accountants, highlighting growing concerns over the country’s skilled workforce.
According to the figures presented in the assembly, 45,830 highly educated Pakistanis left the country in 2024, 28,726 in 2025 and 15,850 during 2026 so far.
The minister said the continuing movement of highly skilled professionals abroad has become a matter of serious concern for the national workforce.
In addition, 23,674 managers left Pakistan for employment abroad in 2024, according to the figures presented in the National Assembly.
The trend has renewed concerns over the loss of skilled human capital and its potential impact on Pakistan’s workforce and economy.